A Little Travel Memory … Swirling Skirts and Indian Dancing

Shannon

7 years ago

A local artist I met in Udaipur, India (who honest-to-god proposed marriage to me a few days later) insisted that I attend a cultural dance show while I was in the city. We had met on my wanderings around town, motorbiked through the city a bit with my cousin and his friend in tow. He hadn’t led me astray on previous tips so I took his advice and arrived just in time to squeeze into the front row of seats near the children’s area.

What I hadn’t realized was how much I would enjoy all the different elements of the staged cultural show. The dancing was gorgeous and this photo so perfectly points out one of my favorite aspects of India—the vibrant colors and ornate decorations.

My would-be suitor was waiting for me right after the performance, to ensure that I enjoyed the dancing and music, and we followed it the performance the only way you follow up anything in India—with a steamy cup of chai looking out over the Lake Palace. This is one of those unexpectedly pleasant memories because I don’t often go to the staged events as I travel. I’m not sure why either, because although it’s lovely to happen-upon an event as I pass through a town, there are elements of festivals, celebrations, and traditions that I can only bear witness to by attending the staged shows.

In this case it was great, a lot of fun, and the women were beautiful. Add to it that I dodged the proposal days later and Udaipur was a highlight on my India travels.